Why Does My Water Smell Funky?

We’re so used to hearing adjectives like “clear,” “pure,” and “clean” applied to water that it’s natural to assume that water won’t smell when we fill up a glass from the faucet. However, that isn’t always the case, especially if the water in your home is “hard,” as is common in San Diego. Hard water simply means that your water contains higher than average amounts of minerals, mostly calcium and magnesium.

Water tends to take on the properties of the minerals it contains, which includes smell. If you notice that your water has a light odor, that’s most likely the calcium, magnesium, and other minerals that you’re smelling. If you have a sensitive nose, these smells may be off-putting and even make it difficult for you to drink the water in your home.